Vitamix blenders

[Punky]

I was looking into getting a Vitamix.
The super 5000 package comes with 2 bowls,
a wet blade bowl and a dry blade bowl (for grains and such).
It's about $100 more than the one with just the
wet blade bowl which seems like what most people get.
My question is, do I really need the dry blade bowl
for raw food prep?? I would like to grind flax seeds though, so can
I use the wet bowl for that or do I need the dry as well???
If I will actually use it, I don't mind paying extra for it,
but didn't want to throw money away if it's gonna sit there
and not really be needed for raw food prep.
Thanks for any tips or advice!

[Punky]

bumpidy bump :confused:
anyone :)

[Revvell]

I've got the one with only the wet bowl. I use the Cuisinart Mini- Prep-Processor for grinding seeds.

Revvell

[Punky]

Hey Revvell,
I didn't know I could do them in a processor...i'll give it a whirl.
I have a Kitchenaid with a mini bowl attachment. Hope it works.
I just heard lots of people say they do them in their Vitamix
or a coffee grinder.
Hmmm....still curious if I could use the dry blade bowl with other stuff
pertaining to raw foods? If not I'll just get the regular model....

Thanks green girl for your reply. Yes i've heard of the coffee grinder too,
which i'll try out--alot cheaper ;) . Trying to find uses for the dry blade additional bowl
and if I even need it at all. Doesn't sound like it yet.

[Revvell]

Hi Punky,

Notice I said "mini" prep processor. I don't remember trying it in my 11-Cup. The lil buggers are a pita. I've not tried a coffee grinder yet that seems to be the most common way.

What do they say the dry blade bowl is s'posed to be for? I'm thinking it "might" be useful yet, not sure. I tried to make the cheesy pizza recipe in my VitaMix and it stopped the blender from working. Or, is it for grinding grains or..... ?

Revvell

[Punky]

Revvell,
the website says the dry blade bowl :
"Extra container with dry blades -
for grinding & kneading"

yes, mainly for grains it looks like, but any dry products (makes powdered
sugar from regular sugar-not that I want or need to do that).
you can make flours from whole grains. and mix dough in there too.
my kids are gluten free albeit still cooked, so I won't be making bread
dough, but I was trying to see where it may be helpful
towards raw food prep. Since it can handle bread dough, maybe helpful
in that kind of recipe you mentioned or almond/nut butters. But can
I make almond butter in the regular wet bowl or a food processor?
Haven't tried yet.

[Punky]

Here's a better description of the dry bowl. Looks like I can use it for
my gluten free boys :) I can make gluten free flour from brown rice, beans, etc...
still trying to think of ways of how it would pertain to raw foods though :confused:

"When you buy gluten-free grains and grind your own flour, you get exactly what you need while capturing all the goodness of the grain at its nutritional peak. You can even crack grains for a nutritious whole grain, high fiber cereal. Freshly ground mixtures take only a minute to make in the Vita-Mix Super 5000, which includes an extra container with blades that are specially designed for grinding dry ingredients. The standard “wet blade” container is used for making whole food juice, fruit smoothies, instant ice cream and fresh, hot soup. The most important benefit of preparing your meals in the Vita-Mix is that you can avoid the hidden gluten found in so many processed foods—and you’ll also avoid the added fat, sugar and preservatives. Why waste time reading labels when you can prepare nutritious meals from fresh whole foods in minutes with the Vita-Mix Super 5000. "

[Revvell]

Punky,

Well, I can only tell you what I would do. IF I had the $$$ to circulate, I would get it. Bo and I have circulated LOTS of $$$ just trying out things. He got me the K-Tec with 2 extra bowls. I still use my VitaMix as it has a slower speed to start. IF I'd known what I know now about the K-Tec, I'd have asked for the dry bowl on the VitaMix.

Hmmm. Actually, I'm thinking we might just go 'head and sell the K-Tec since I don't use it. Hmmm. Thanks for this thread. Not thought about it until just now.

Revvell

[calee]

In 1974 I had a vitamix. At that time they only came with 1 stainless steel container. I used it to grind wheatberries to make bread, made baby food in it, basically used it for everything. I don't know why I gave it away. Last fall I started looking at them again thinking it would be great to have one.

I ended up buying the same ugly avocado colored vitamix with the stainless steel container that I had in 1974. The good thing was that I got it on ebay for $75.00. It does everything I could possibly want. I knew that this particular model would go forever. It hasn't failed me yet, except the avocado base is ugly! :)

I use a coffee grinder for flax seeds as they're really too small for the vitamix, at least for me!

[Wendy]

I have the dry and wet blade containers. I use the dry to grind up lots of seeds (it's hard to do small amounts), to make dog food for my dog, and it can also do coffee, etc. I think if you still have non raw people in the house, it is worth it. Most of the time I use a coffee grinder for the seeds. I like the dry, I just couldn't say if it was worth it for you.

[Punky]

Thanks Wendy for your review of the dry container :)
I am sure I will probably just get it too when I buy one.
That way I won't always be wondering what I was missing
out on :p LOL
Since my husband and kids are still cooked and we entertain our
family a lot on holidays I am sure it will get used in one way or another.

I still love hearing what others use the dry container for in raw food prep
if they have one.

[Punky]

Thanks Calee for replying!

Revvell, thanks for sharing with your experience with the Ktec.
I was wondering about those too. What do you not like about the kTEC
exactly compared to the Vitamix? I know it's a personal preference
but I like to know these things. It's a big investment. My hubby will freak
when he sees how much these are LOL. I better be looking all hot and healthy
from rawing it before I ask for anymore kitchen equipment :eek:

[DennisMB]

Hey Punky
If I had to buy another Vita-Mix I would get the dry blade container too. Its such a pain to use my coffee grinder for seeds. By the time I am done I have seeds all over. Usually I cant do the grinding in one batch I need 2 or 3 to make my recipe. With the Vita-mix dry container you can do them all in one batch and no mess.

[Punky]

Dennis,
that is EXACTLY what I wanted to hear, LOL
I am lazy...I still have raw cocao in my coffee grinder from when
i made a raw chocolate smoothie a few weeks back...
I hate doing things in batches too. More of a mess and my time
is limited. It is cheaper to buy the extra container as a package deal rather
than adding it on later too.

[Fuzzball]

While we are in the process of looking for a good deal on a vita mix, I have to say that I love my two "Magic Bullets". As long as you don't try to grind concrete in them, they do a great job on anything......

I made my corn chips by grinding my corn in the bullett and it was awesome.

now available at Walmart for $59. (Target too), but do not include the juicer (not the greatest juicer I have ever used) nor the blender attch.

[rawjanny]

Hi Calee!

I have one of the stainless steel vitamixers...ah so retro. Unfortunately the canister gave out before the blender motor. They no longer make the replacements. So I purchased the new one, and i have both wet and dry canisters.

In my raw lifestyle, i can grind up nuts or seeds into flour to add to any too wet cracker/bread mix. I have enjoyed both options and found them well worth the money!

[Sparkle]

I have an old style of Vitamix that I found on ebay too and I love it. I used a coffee grinder for seeds when needed but then it broke. But I, too, have a magic bullet blender that is just great for grinding nuts and seeds and making one serving of smoothies too!

I'm bummed I didn't know about the blender for $59 at Walmart and Target! What a great deal. I don't even use the blender attachment. Ah well!

[DennisMB]

I bought the Magic Bullet when it was only available over the phone and it cost huge bucks. Now it is really cheap at K mart, etc. The only problem I have with mine is the motor over heats easily so I have to wait for it to cool down. They should make one with a little stronger motor so this doesnt happen. I hae not tried grinding seeds with it, so I will try that tomorrow when I try a batch of crackers. If that works that will save using my coffee grinder which is always a messy job.

[Revvell]

The K-Tec starts at a much higher speed than the Vita-Mix so, it's all over the bowl. If one is doing a fairly small batch of something, it's too messy for me. Also, it's got a smaller bowl than the VitaMix. I think 5 Cups instead of 8.(too lazy to get up and look). When I make almond milk, I like the larger size.

Revvell

[Wendy]

I will state thought that I have never had good luck grinding one cup or less of nuts. Just doesn't work well, the tamper doesn't reach it. Maybe it's technique?

[Punky]

In my raw lifestyle, i can grind up nuts or seeds into flour to add to any too wet cracker/bread mix. I have enjoyed both options and found them well worth the money!

Thanks for sharing your experience with the dry container to the Vitamix
RawJanny! Very helpful. That would be cool to make flour from nuts too.
I just thought of flax, but different nuf/seed flours would make such an awesome variety for crackers. Great tip! :)

Thanks everyone who replied for your tips and experiences!
I never heard of the Magic Bullet...will have to check it out too ;)

[Punky]

Hey Reet,
Thanks for telling me about the "Vita-Prep"..
I was not familier with that model. I am actually confused
about all the different models I see on different websites and
what's the difference between them all?!?!? So I went to Vitamix's
own website to find out but they do not describe the different models either...
they just had the Vitamix 5000.
It's hard for me to find the best price on one with all the different
models out there and not knowing what all the differences are...
The Vitamix 5000 and the Vita-Prep look the same to me by the
picture...what's the difference?
Thanks!

[carolg]

During my bread making days I bought a Ktec flour grinding machine. I used to make lots of whole wheat breads and this did great job of grinding the grains. I wonder, and assume, it would grind seeds as well if I wanted to make some flour. It hasn't been used in years so would have to hunt for it too.

What are you making flour for? Thanks.
carol

[*~Butterfly~*]

Hey Reet,
The Vitamix 5000 and the Vita-Prep look the same to me by the
picture...what's the difference?
Thanks!

Punky,
I want to say the difference between the 5000 & Prep, are the warranty The prep is a commercial use 3 year and the 5000 is a 7yr warranty with 2 containers. Same motor and such...

[Punky]

Thanks Butterfly!
That helps! ;)

[Pailani]

Could a Vitamix make banana ice cream, or the other things a food processer does?

[Wendy]

Yes. It can make anything most of the recipes require. I also use it for juicing, I just put the whole fruit in with a little water. It's different than a juicer, but you get all the fiber and seeds, everything.

I haven't tried doing something that I couldn't do with the Vitamix. It replaces so many appliances for me.

[dinafine125]

I bought a Vitamix recently with the two containers because I wanted to be able to grind grain into flour fresh and felt that the machine would be more versatile than a grain grinder. I have been pleased that I could make cracked cereal for breakfast easily, that is if you are not raw. The smoothies and juices are wonderful.

[TimmyC]

I want one pretty bad. I got to see how one worked the other day. Wow such a big difference to the regular blender.


Tim

[Cinnamon]

I use my Vitamix for almost everything now instead of the food processor, I got the Professional Series a few months ago. Banana ice cream, nut pates, anything at all works GREAT in it! I now don't know how I lived without it!

[Lady Green Jeans]

I added a Vitamix last to my Raw food kitchen. Costco has road shows in my area about once a year and I decided to buy the extra dry container due to the great pricing and the extended warranty. I have only been using the Vitamix for a couple months and work long hours so I have not yet used the dry container, but as time allows I know I will be utilizing for grinding seeds, etc. Between the food processor and the Vitamix I am pretty set as i dehydrate occasionally and juice when I can so those two are important to my everyday eating.

[calee]

Timmy,
Keep an eye on ebay. I got an old model, exactly like the one I had in 1974 on ebay for $75.00. It will probably run forever as it's been going since the 70's. It does everything I need it to do.

calee

[TimmyC]

Thanks for the suggestion Calee. That's an amazing story :).

[Punky]

I want one pretty bad. I got to see how one worked the other day. Wow such a big difference to the regular blender.


Tim

Tim,
I got one about a month and a half ago, and I LOVE IT.
It is AMAZing...even my cooked hubby is impressed...
I got a professional series, which is the same as the 5000 series, except
for color choice and you can use the one container for dry&wet stuff.
Of course I am still paying off the ol' credit card for it, but
I have NO regrets...love it love it love it.
it RAWks!

[TimmyC]

Maybe I'll ask my wife to get me one for Christmas. LOL

[calee]

Timmy,

December is Vitamix roadtrip month at the Costco's here in California. Check and see if that's happening in your state too. You don't even need a Costco membership as they'll give you a shopping pass if you ask for one. Check it out if you're really going to ask for one for Christmas.

Calee

[TimmyC]

Will do thanks Calee!